An interactive hand grip making exercise more enjoyable

TYPE

Course Project

DURATION

April - June 2015

TEAM

Min ZouZhixiong LuZhixiong LuYaman Huang

KEYWORDS

Product DesignInteraction DesignPhysical Prototyping

Overview

This project is aimed to design an interactive hand grip to make hand exercise more fun. We came up with the idea
based on interview and research data. We used the concept of
gamification combining exercise with games. We used arduino and processing and finally made a functional prototyping.

My role

We did interviews, developed the idea together, then I was responsible for the design and coding of processing game.

Methods

Interview, persona, brainstorming

Tools

Paper&pen, Processing, Sketch, Rhino, Keyshot

Background

Problem

Hand grip exercise is pretty important especially for seniors and
people in muscle recovery. However, not everyone do hand exercises on a regular basis. According to the investi
gation by NHFPC, “excercise is boring” is one of the top 3 reasons why people don’t exercise.

Hand exercises

We did literature research to have a systematic overview of hand exercise. We found out the functions of different
movements and which parts of the hand they benefit. The hand exercise suitable for the elderly can be divided into two
group with different main functions. Some movements need the aid of equipment while others not.

Existing products

Research

Interview

Exercise habits

- Usually exercise after getting up and having dinner

- Mainly do some stretches and walking outdoors

- Do hand exercise with simple equipment but not very regularly

Persona

Ideation

Final design

EasyGrip integrates grip strengthener and finger master. After connected to computer, EasyGrip turns into a game handle.
Users have fun with games when they do hand exercise, meanwhile they can read the real time exercise data from the
screen. There are games of 2 modes applying to the different hand movements. Users can change the mode with the mode switch.

Software system retains data. Users can see their progress and get encouraged. Software also analyzes data and determines
the scientific exercise intensity. The game will be over when user completes the daily task.

Prototype

We 3D printed the product shell, built circuits with Arduino and the software with Processing. In spite of many times when
3D print failed, error reading serial data, springs didn’t fit, we finally made it!